Strip storage envelope



Aug. 13, 1963 G. W. OFFENSEND ETAL STRIP STORAGE ENVELOPE Filed March l0, 1961 F@ m W GlenWOfensend Walter D.Vo t INVEN 0K5Y III'TORNEYS United States Patent O 3,109,356 STPP STRAGE ENVELPE Glen W. @nemend and Walter D. Vogt, Rochester,

NX., assignors to Eastman Kodak Qompany, Rochester, NX., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 1li, 1951, Ser. No. 94,926 4 Claims. (43E. lil-27) This invention relates to a strip storageenvelope and more particularly to an envelope which 1s adapted to slidably receive and store a plurality of film strips so 'that the strips may be selectively advanced from their normal storage position in the envelope to a position where images on the lm strips may be viewed, and thereafter returned to the envelope.

The envelope of the present invention is especially useful in receiving and storing strips of microfilm. Indeed, this is the use for which the device was originally intended and for this reason it has been specically illustrated in the drawings and will be described herein as it is adapted for this use. However, it will be apparent from the drawings and from the description which follows, that the strip receiving envelope of the present invention could be used with similar facility and advantages for storing any type of material which is used or usable in strip form.

The diliiculties involved in retrieval of information which has been photographically recorded on film is one of the main obstacles to the more extensive utilization of microfilm for storage of documentary information. To retrieve information on roll film it is helpful to have a code system which must of ynecessity be quite complex to identify all of the information and a mechanism for advancing the film strip through a sensing station where the code can be interpreted and correlated so that the desired information may be located. Apparatus of this type are very expensive to manufacture and to maintain. Other systems have utilized short strips of microfilm which are received in or printed on small cards so that the cards may be positioned in a projection-type reader for viewing purposes. One diiiculty presented by this latter system is that involved in the positioning of the card in the reader so that the desired image is projected on the viewing screen. Another diculty is the scratching of the images on :the card during handling and viewing. The envelope of the present invention provides an improved means for storing and handling film strips and has certain advantages over the other systems mentioned above. The envelope of the present invention comprises broadly a member having one or more strip receiving channels for selectively receiving one or more film strips respectively therein. According to another aspect of the invention, the member includes means for engaging each film strip when located in a channel in normal storage position therein, to releasably retain the lm strip in that storage position. This reduces the possibility of the film strip partially falling out of the envelope and 'becoming damaged during handling and transporting of the envelope. Still another aspect of the invention is the providing of second means for engaging the hlm strips when moved to a position remote from their normal storage position in the envelope to thereby prevent the film strip from falling out or completely disengaging from the channel in the envelope. This eliminates the possibility of accidental loss of a film strip during handling of an envelope and prevents an inadvertent removal of a strip during use from its channel in an envelope.

The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an envelope for slidably receiving and for storing one or more strips of material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 2 an envelope for slidably receiving and for storing strips in which the strips are releasably retained Within the envelope so that they Will not be inadvertently `damaged during handling of the envelope.

Still another object of the present invention is-to pro'- vide an envelope for slidably receiving and for storing strips in which the strips are locked to the envelope in such a way that the strips cannot be inadvertently removed from the envelope. t

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for slidably receiving and for storing one or more strips in which each strip is releasably retained within the envelope when located in a normal storage position therein and is further locked in the envelope so that it cannot be inadvertently disengaged therefrom when moved to a position remote from its normal storage position therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an envelope for slidably receiving and storing one or more strips, which is relatively simple to manufacture and to use, which can be formed of relatively inexpensive materials, and which is entirely satisfactory from the standpoint of its normal intended use.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings in which like characters denote like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing the strip receiving envelope of the present invention and broken as indicated to facilitate the illustration thereof;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the envelope showing the various parts thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the envelope taken along lines 3 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the envelope taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 but showing the strip moved from its storage position; and

FIG. 5 is a section view similarto FIG. 4 but illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, the strip receiving envelope of the present invention comprises an upper sheet 11, `a lower sheet 13, and an intermediate `sheet 15 which is formed with a plurality of strip receiving channels 17, 19, 21 and 23. Ilhe strip receiving channels are spaced from each other in the intermediate sheet 15 so that the distance between adjacent channels is equal. Each channel is slightly wider than the lateral width of the strip to be received therein and the thickness of the intermediate sheet 15 is slightly greater than the thickness of the strip so that the strip will be guided by the channel, but can slide freely therein. This is important when the envelopes are used in conjunction with storing microfilm because it is necessary to position the envelopes in a reading type projector and to move the selected film strip from within the envelope through a projecting station where the image or images carried on the microfilm are projected by the optical system of the projector onto the Viewing screen. Thereafter, of course, it is necessary to return the lm strip back into the envelope for storage until the next time it is to be used. If the channel is too small, the strip may jam or buckle when one attempts lto slide it back into the envelope. During the period that the film strip is being stored in the envelope; that is, when it is located all the Way down into the strip receiving channel in its storage position, las shown in FIG. 1, it is desirable for the envelope to substantially enclose the strip to prevent scratching of the film strip and dust accumulation thereon.

Frequently, it is necessary to carry an envelope `from one place to another and it is desirable that the stripor stnips therein not fall out of their respective channels.

vfrom their respective strip receiving channels.

Accordingly, `a detent ZS is formed in the lower sheet 13 adjacent to the end of each channel 17, 19, 21, andw23. Detent 25 is opstanding from the surface of the lower sheet and has an elevation which is greater thanthe' sheets ofeg..paper,`ibreboard, plastic, sheet metal or other materialoreonibination thereof, and the detents Z may be formedfby embossing th'elower surface lof the Vsheet 113 or by any other well known method. Apertures 27 vare of a size toppermit the detent 2S to extend therethrough.V The ends of the strips are punched with a hole 29 which, when lthe strip isin its storage position, is aligned with the detents 25,. Because of the resiliency and ilexibility of the strip Vand the materials of which the envelope is formed yand becausegof the tolerances which are utilized inmaking the stripreceiving channels 1,7, 19, 21, and 23 the strips can be pushed down into the respective channels andnwill snap over the opstanding detent Z5 and into their 'storage position, where the detent extends through the aperture 29V in the strip as shown in FIG. 3; Whenk so located, the strip is releaseably held within the channel by the -detent 25. Obviously, by exerting a slight force on the other end 3l? of the strip, it may be intentionally pulled ol'I" of the detent 25 and thereafter is free to slide in the channel in which it is carried.

In order to facilitate the initial insertion of the strips envelope adjacent to the entrant portion of each strip receiving channel is folded back upon itself as at S3. Thus, Y*when the strip is pulled from its storage position in the envelopgjtfreely slides in the channel until the folded end 3l 4of thestripeengages-and locks with the folded portion 53 of the envelope as`illi1stratedlin FIG.

5. It is possible, of course, to intentionally breakmthe lock by exerting a considerable force on the strip. However, the illustrated construction will eliminate any unintentional removal of the strip from lthe envelope by an operator. Y

While only 'one embodiment or the present invention has been specifically shown and described many modifications thereof in addition to the lone shown in FIG. 5 are into their respective channels, the lower sheet 13 adja-Y Y cent to :the entrant portions of the channels isremoved for a short distance as at 4,1 and 45 so that adjacent portion the upper sheet 1,1 extends over the lower sheet and acts as a guide for the end of the strip during insertion. rllle recesses 47 are formed in the envelope at the entrant portion of each channel so as to expose a small portion of the surface of the ends 30 of the strips when the strips are in their storage position in the envelope. This allows the strips to be nlanipulated within the channel, either manually or by suitable engaging means provided in for example a viewing apparatus. vAs shown, in the drawings, the end 30 of each strip is provided with a hole 49 which is exposed by the recess 47 when the strip is in its `storage position in the envelope. The hole 49 is adapted to receive a'pin or catch, not shown, but which is provided in the viewing apparatus with which the ,y envelopes of the present invention .can be used and by means of which movement may be imparted a selected one of the strips. It is :also desirable to provide ya means Y forlocating the envelope in the viewing apparatus so which are provided in the viewing apparatus, the envelope is selectively positioned with any one of the fourchannels located in operative relation to the pin of the strip advance mechanism of the viewing apparatus.l

In addition to the detents 25, which as described above, releasably hold the strips in their respective channels, it is sometimes desirable to provide means for preventing the strips from being inadvertently removed One means by which this may be accomplished is illustrated in FIG. 5., The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is identical inevery'respect tothe one which has been described above and shown in the other gures of the drawing except that the end 31 of the strip which has the hole 29 formed therein, is folded over to form a section of increased thickness. The hole 29 extends through both possible and will become readily apparent to those skilled in the artrrom the foregoing description. For example, the detents ZSco-uld be arranged to extend from the edge of the channel into a notch formed into the longitudinal edge of the strips. The section of increased thickness in the strips could be providedV by attaching or forming aY flange on the end of the strip. The number and position of the channels -in the envelope can be varied with the requirement ofa particular operation. All of the channels could open on the sameV end of the envelope. The folded lover portion 33 in-each channel could be merely an upstanding lug 4or other stop means for engaging the thickened part of the strips. 'Ihe positioning ape-1'- tures 43 could be notches, detents, ilanges or buttons formed along either the longitudinal or lateral edges of the envelope and adapted to cooperate with the structure of the apparatus with which the envelope is to be used. Since these and lother modifications could be made without departing from the novel concept of the present inventionthe foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only and the scope of the invention is delined in the appended claims.

Having now particularly described our invention, what We desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States and what We claim is: Y

1. A device for slidably receiving and storing a plurality of discrete strips, each having an opening which is spaced from the edges of the strip adjacent to one end thereof, comprising:

(a) a member having a Vplurality of channels for receiving said plurality @of strips respectively therein, said member being formedY of three laminated plies;

(l) the inner one of which is provided with said plurality .of channels which are open on at least one end to receive said strips, and

(2) the outer plies substantially enclosing said channels to protect the strips when positioned for storage in the channels, and

(b) a plurality of detents formed in at least one of the outer plies to `extend into the plurality of channels respectively, said detents being disposed adjacent to the end of said vchannels which is remote from said one open end and having an elevation suicient to extend through the openings in said strips, when positioned for storage in'said channels, to thereby prevent accidental sliding displacement of the strips from such position.

2. A dev-ice in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising:

(a) means in each of said channels for engaging the strips when slidably moved therein to a position remote from said storage position, to prevent disengageinent of the strips from said channels, and

(b) means in said member associated with each channel for selectively locating any given channel a predetermined xed distance from any given reference point.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said stop means comprisesl an element which protrudes into said channel a distance suicient to engage said enlarged section and 'which overlaps that portion of said member which denes one wall of said channel adjacent to said one lopen end thereof.

4. A `device for slida-bly receiving and for storing an elongated strip bearing infomation to be viewed and having adjacent to one end thereof an opening which is spaced from the edges of the strip and an enlarged section longitudinally spaced along the strip from said opening, said device comprising:

(a) a member having an elongate planar strip receiving channel which is open at lone end and is dimensioned 10 to receive said strip, said channel being substantially closed throughout its length and being suciently long to enclose the strip when located in a storage position therein;

(b) `a detent upstanding in said channel adjacent to the end thereof remote from said open end and disposed to engage in said opening when the strip is in said storage position to releasably retain the strip in said storage position, and

(c) stop means located in said channel adjacent to the 2 `open end thereof lfor engaging the enlarged section 6 of said strip, upon sliding movement of the strip in the channel `to a position remote from said storage position and wherein said information is exposed for viewing, to prevent disengagement of the strip .rom said channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 930,406 McDonald Aug. 10, 1909 2,172,547 Ruth Sept. 12, 1939 2,318,850 Garant May 11, 1943 2,521,792 Hollander Sept. l2, 1950 2,544,844 Liber Mar. 13, 1951 2,779,115 Durham et al. Jan. 29, 1957 2,844,248 Tiberio July 22, 1958 2,861,370 McArthur Nov. 25, 1958 2,903,808 Anderson Sept. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 882,475 France Mar. l, 1943 

1. A DEVICE FOR SLIDABLY RECEIVING AND STORING A PLURALITY OF DISCRETE STRIPS, EACH HAVING AN OPENING WHICH IS SPACED FROM THE EDGES OF THE STRIP ADJACENT TO ONE END THEREOF, COMPRISING: (A) A MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CHANNELS FOR RECEIVING SAID PLURALITY OF STRIPS RESPECTIVELY THEREIN, SAID MEMBER BEING FORMED OF THREE LAMINATED PLIES; (1) THE INNER ONE OF WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH SAID PLURALITY OF CHANNELS WHICH ARE OPEN ON AT LEAST ONE END TO RECEIVE SAID STRIPS, AND (2) THE OUTER PLIES SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSING SAID CHANNELS TO PROTECT THE STRIPS WHEN POSITIONED FOR STORAGE IN THE CHANNELS, AND (B) A PLURALITY OF DETENTS FORMED IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE OUTER PLIES TO EXTEND INTO THE PLURALITY OF CHANNELS RESPECTIVELY, SAID DETENTS BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT TO THE END OF SAID CHANNELS WHICH IS REMOTE FROM SAID ONE OPEN END AND HAVING AN ELEVATION SUFFICIENT TO EXTEND THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN SAID STRIPS, WHEN POSITIONED FOR STORAGE IN SAID CHANNELS, TO THEREBY PREVENT ACCIDENTAL SLIDING DISPLACEMENT OF THE STRIPS FROM SUCH POSITION. 